Fall Colors Peak Timing Update. Can't go wrong Sep 16th-30th

09/03/26 8:40am: Hi. Here is a quick fall colors update via my predicted peak fall colors map below. This is based on some recent photos I've seen. It does look like peak will be a bit earlier this year (or earlier than the last few seasons). But its really splitting hairs at this point as I adjusted most of the dates by just 2-4 days earlier.

I do have parts of the upper south-central mountains (near Monarch Pass for example), peaking before areas near Vail, that is not uncommon.

I think the high elevations of the Front Range mountains, near RMNP, Winter Park, Berthoud Pass, Summit (Silverthorne, Breck, Boreas Pass areas) will change first.

Overall I still think you can't can go wrong in the Sep 16th-30th timeframe for most of CO (a bit later for parts of southern CO). And as I mentioned before higher elevations will change first, lower later.

With the interplay between drought conditions in spots and some good monsoon rain in spots, I do think it will be more patchy this season with some pockets peaking early (and dropping leaves early) and other pockets that will peak late and remain green for quite some time. But the patchwork is always beautiful and even during dry years we get great fall colors. CO always puts on a show during the later part of Sep! So I think it will be good this year (like most seasons).

And this map is just a guide, it won't be exact in all areas. There is huge variations between elevations zones, terrain and how wet and dry its been.

Some recent photos below:

Second photo from Mike R. Tice h/t Discover Colorado | Through your photos (Maroon Bells: looks pretty green up there still, so that area maybe on the later side of the range)

Third photo from Travel Crested Butte (near CB)...changing a bit earlier there

Fourth photo from Sandra Fennessy Photography's Post (looks like closer to Herman Gultch areas (between Idaho Springs and Tunnels), seems close to on time for the earlier range.

We will be up in Summit Co this weekend, so I should have good eyes on the color progression.

What are your thoughts on the change?